True blue heroes

ONCE again, young women with local connections and skills in the surf have been rightly recognised in the Pride of Australia awards.

The Pride of Australia Medal is one of News Corporation Australia’s most important community endeavours, playing a fundamental role as a vehicle to celebrate and acknowledge the remarkable contribution and achievements of members of the Australian community.

There are community heroes all around us. But often, because they are humble their stories remain untold.

Teen friends Amy Kenny and Hannah Keane, who met at Nippers when they were 7, rescued two drowning men at Lorne in January.

The pair had only started to patrol under supervision — and had never been involved in a rescue — when danger struck with two men, in their 20s and 30s, struggling in the water up to 60m out from shore.

After the rescue the Addy reported the proud comments of Lorne Surf Life Saving Club president Paul McMaster who had patrolled with them on the day of the incident.

“For them to react the way that they did is a credit to them and to the training provided,” Mr McMaster said.

“It is very pleasing, you don’t know how you will react until you’re in that situation. As a club and a population we should be proud of acts that are selfless and help others.”

Amy was unable to attend yesterday’s Pride of Australia awards because she was overseas on a school trip.

But Hannah was able to receive the honour on behalf of both teens.

They are not the first surf lifesaving-trained young women to avert what could be a tragedy involving international visitors in our local surf.

And unfortunately they are unlikely to be the last.

But it is good that this week they have received recognition for their quick-thinking heroic deeds.

Congratulations to Hannah and Amy, and all the Pride of Australia medal winners.

You make our community — and our world — a better place.